Havana Club Cocktail Maestros 2nd Edition National Champions
In July 2025, Havana Club announced the global finalists for the Second Edition of Havana Club Cocktail Maestros – a team-based contest that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and Cuban spirit, values deeply shared by the brand and the global bartending community.
After months of intense competition between more than 550 teams across 25 countries, top duos from each country competed in their national finals, having earned their place by submitting Cuban-inspired cocktails that capture the flavour, energy, and artistry at the heart of Havana Club. Judged at live events or in-bar, this national stage saw teams present their creations to a panel of local industry leaders. Teams were scored on taste, flair, and presentation, as well as their chemistry and ability to hero the quality and versatility of Havana Club's portfolio.
Now, the winning team from each country have been pronounced National Champions and move on to compete in the next two stages: the Regional Challenges, followed by the Global Finals in Havana, Cuba, in April 2026.
Havana Club Cocktail Maestros is an international celebration of culture, creativity and self-expression behind the bar. We've been very impressed by the passion, precision and the way each duo brings their creative spirit to life – and with the next stage on the horizon, the best is still to come.
Alfredo Guerra, Global Brand Ambassador for Havana Club
What's next on the road to Havana?
The national winners will head to one of three Regional Challenge events, held across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. These two-day experiences are designed to enhance the teams' skills and deepen their collaborative mindset.
Alongside cocktail challenges, participants will receive mentorship from acclaimed figures in the global bar community and participate in educational sessions rooted in Havana Club's heritage, craft, and cultural significance, ensuring they are equipped for the final stage. Points earned during the Regional Challenge will contribute to each team's overall final score in the competition's Global Final in Havana.
In Cuba, the winning teams will be immersed in the unique world of Cuban rum through the people, places and history that shape Havana Club. The global finals will culminate in "The Great Havana Hustle" – a one-night-only shift in the heart of Havana's legendary bar scene. Finalists will be challenged to embody the spirit of Cuba through exceptional cocktails, storytelling and the unmistakable warmth of Cuban hospitality.
One team will be crowned as the 2nd Havana Club Cocktail Maestros Champions, taking home the €10,000 prize and a set of crystal decanters of Havana Club Icónica Máximo. However, every finalist will leave Cuba with a deep connection to the country and a global network of bartenders-turned-friends, all forged through their Cuban rum journey.
This is a rare opportunity for bartenders to elevate their craft on a global stage through mentorship, cultural exchange and hands-on experiences. Havana Club Cocktail Maestros aims to create a space for professional growth, meaningful industry connections and a deeper understanding of what Havana Club represents for Cuban rum – all while celebrating the talent and creativity that drive our industry forward.
Maxime Chevalier, Senior Brand Manager for Havana Club
As the competition continues, Havana Club reaffirms its commitment to the bartending community through a global platform that celebrates exceptional cocktails, craftsmanship, and the people who bring them to life.
The global finalists
Havana Club 3 Year Old
The best-known expression of the leading Cuban rum brand, this light rum is aged for three years in ex-bourbon casks giving it a light straw yellow hue.
Havana Club 7 Year Old
This Cuban rum, aged for a minimum of seven years in ex-bourbon casks, is produced by a joint-venture between Pernod and state-owned Cuba Ron.
